The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-14
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A PASTORS TRAGIC END.
THE CONDUCTOR FINDS HIM DEAD
IN HIS CAR.

Rev. DR.. Donald Fraser the Clergyman
Deceased-The Remains Taken to
Atlanta, and His Family Summoned
A Brief Sketch of His Life
ATLANTA, GA, Sept. 13.--When the East
Tennessee north bound passenger train ar
rived in this city this morning an old and
venerable looking gentleman was laid out
between two seats in the ladies car His
hands were crossed on his breast the eyes
were closed. The old gentleman was Rev.
DR.. Donald Fraser, and he was dead. DIR.
Fraser was pastor of the Presbyterian
church at Decatur, and few weeks ago his
congregation prevailed upon him TO cease
for awhile his arduous labors, and spend a
month away from home. He visited rela-
tivcs in Liberty county, and remained there
several days. A week ago last Sunday he
preached sermon in the Presbyterian
church at Brunswick Leaving that city
he went TO Jacksonville, where he remained
until yesterday and concluded to return
home. He left Jacksonville i'm perfect
health and arrived at Jesup last evening and
occupied n car chat was switched to the
East Tennessee track for Atlanta Con-
ductor Richard A. Harris was in charge of
the train, and from him reporter learned
the particulars of DR.. Fraser's death When
the train pulled. out from Jesup Conductor
Harris passed through the cars to take up
the tickets and found Dr. Fraser sit
ting on the last seat on the left
hand side of the ladies' coach,
with a seat turned in front of him, and upon
this his feet were resting. He gave the con-
ductor a round trip ticket from Atlanta TO
Brunswick. Half an hour later the conduc-
tor again passed through the train, and
n. - a
floor and his head resting on the seat near
est the engine. Nothing was thought of
this, as passengers usually rest themselves
by assuming this position. Another trip
was made through the train an hour later,
and the doctor was still kneeling, but he had
changed the position of his arms. About
daylight, just as the train was pull
ing into Flovilla, or indian Springs,
Conductor Harris once more passed by DIR.
Fraser 81 stopped and looked at the kneel-
ing form of the old man." said Conductor
Harris to the reporter, land suddenly, with
out any apparent cause, there flashed
through my mind the thought that man is
dead. | laid my hand upon his shoulder,
and lifting his head | saw that one of my
passengers had reached the end of lifeis
journey. From his ticket / learned his
name and | telegraphed the facts to the
Superintendent in Atlanta When the
train reached the city several members
of his congregation and railroad Off
Gals were at the depot and escorted the
remains of the dead preacher to an under-
taking establishment, where they were pres
pared for burial and placed in casket M
definite plans for the funeral have beon
made, as relatives in Liberty county have
been telegraphed for, and the remains VIII
not be buried until they arrive Rev.
Donald Fraser, ID. d., was born in Liberty
county Georgia, and at the time of his
death was about 81 years of age. He haA
been twice married. His first wife was A
daughter of Mr.. Thomas A. Casselss
of Liberty county, and his secondp
Miss Pennebrough, Of Tallahassee,
Fla. He leaves three children,
a son and daughter, now living at Decatur
with Mrs. Fraser, and a son, Rev. Chalmers
Fraser, who is pastor of the Presbyterian
Church at Marietta. The deceased came to
Atlanta in 1870 and assumed the duties of a
professor IN Oglothorpe College. In 1872 he
became pastor of the Decatur Presbyterian
Church.